Photo Caption: Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang (second from left) at the closing ceremony of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. Former President Hu Jintao was forcibly escorted out early. The congress concluded at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, where Xi was expected to secure his third term. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)
[People News] Have you noticed that this year, in the days leading up to and on May 4th, Youth Day set by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), the official state media launched a rare high-profile campaign to praise and encourage young people? A prime example is Qiushi magazine, the official journal of the CCP Central Committee and a key indicator of the Party's political direction. In its 9th issue of the year, this trend is clear.
Typically, the 9th issue of Qiushi is published on April 30. This year, the first four articles in the table of contents are: 1. Xi Jinping’s "Inspire the Youth of the New Era to Courageously Shoulder Responsibilities in Building Chinese-Style Modernisation". 2. The editorial department’s "Integrating Youthful Struggle into the Journey of Building a Strong Nation and National Rejuvenation". 3. An article by the Secretariat of the Communist Youth League Central Committee titled "Undertaking the Missions Assigned to the Youth League in the New Era and on the New Journey". 4. An article by Lian Si, current Vice President of the Central Party School for Youth (China Youth University of Political Studies), titled "Strengthening the Value Guidance of Chinese Youth in the New Era." Later in the issue, there's also a reader-submitted letter titled "Let the Flower of Youth Bloom Where the Country Needs It Most."
Even without diving into the content, the prominence of this issue’s table of contents alone shows an unusual level of attention. From the General Secretary, the Central Committee to the Communist Youth League and the Youth Party School, everyone is actively participating in this campaign, indicating that the "Tuanpai" (Youth League Faction), once politically sidelined, is regaining influence.
Why do I say this? A look at the 9th issue of Qiushi over the past five years reveals the underlying clues. Typically, the first four articles each year are by Xi Jinping, the editorial department, and relevant departments or officials writing Party-approved pieces on the same topic.
For instance, in 2024, the 9th issue featured Xi’s article on mobilizing workers for national development and rejuvenation, an editorial on labor and struggle, and two articles by the All-China Federation of Trade Unions and Xinhua journalists—focusing entirely on Labor Day (May 1), with no mention whatsoever of Youth Day (May 4), as if it didn't exist.
In 2023, the first four articles focused on Xi’s speech at a themed educational work conference on Xi Jinping Thought, accompanied by editorials and loyalty pieces from provincial Party secretaries from Jiangsu and Hubei. Again, no mention of Youth Day.
Looking at 2022, the main articles dealt with "Building a Technological Power." Later in the issue appeared two commentary pieces referencing Labour Day and Youth Day, but both still revolved around Xi's related remarks and activities.
In 2021, the first four articles focused on new development concepts. Only the seventh article was from the Communist Youth League Central Committee and emphasised upholding the CCP leadership. The 2020 issue's top articles were on poverty alleviation, and only a late-placed reader letter titled "Collective Memories of Youth Power" related to Youth Day.
Clearly, over the past five years, youth and Youth Day were not priorities for the CCP Central Committee, and Qiushi reflected that very clearly to the public.
The one Youth Day article each in 2020 and 2022 might have been mere gestures of "respect" or perfunctory nods to Hu Jintao’s Youth League faction. However, after Xi publicly removed Hu from the 20th Party Congress and Hu’s handpicked successor, Hu Chunhua, was demoted to a position in the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Qiushi made no mention of youth or Youth Day in 2023 and 2024. That is, until this year, when Youth Day became a central theme. Whose face does this slap?
On May 4 this year, the Qiushi website featured Youth Day prominently: its headline and the top five stories all focused on youth and the holiday, including articles by Xi, commentary from Xinhua and People’s Daily, and even statistics like “by the end of 2024, there were 75.318 million Communist Youth League members nationwide.” This level of attention is rarely seen in recent years.
The same pattern appeared across other official outlets like Xinhua Net, People.cn, and China Military Online, where Youth Day and youth-related stories dominated the top headlines. Notably, Xi’s name was less prominently featured than in previous years, only appearing in subtitles, not both headline and subtitle as in years past.
In February, overseas independent commentator Cai Shenkun revealed on social media platform X and his YouTube channel that a friend told him two key things: Xi Jinping no longer holds real power, and the CCP's authority has been handed over to three elder statesmen born in 1942 to oversee a transition. He further claimed military power now lies with Zhang Youxia, and Xi is a nominal military chief only. Cai predicted that Xi’s resignation is just waiting for an official announcement—most likely at the Fourth Plenary Session, and certainly no later than next year. He later named the three elders as Hu Jintao, Wen Jiabao, and Hu Deping.
The recent changes in CCP publications and state media coverage clearly reflect that Hu and Wen, as elder statesmen, are indeed controlling the situation behind the scenes. Members of Hu Jintao’s Youth League faction are returning to prominence. The recent high-profile reappearance of the previously low-key Hu Chunhua speaks volumes. However, if the Fourth Plenum results in nothing more than a superficial reshuffle, the CCP remains on a doomed path.
(First published by People News)
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